Ms Aoife Flynn Kennedy:

I thank the committee for the invitation and also for the advance notice. This has provided me with the opportunity to discuss this issue with and gather the views of the representatives in County Wicklow and, most importantly, across party lines as an issue of local government, as an issue for all and, fundamentally, as a serious issue for our local communities. As such, I speak today not solely as the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council but as the voice of the elected members of County Wicklow.

The removal of town councils in 2014 is seen as one of the greatest challenges and a decision that has reduced the role and power of local councillors significantly. It is understood and acknowledged that local decisions should be made as close to the community as possible. However, the removal of town councils and the continuous centralisation of services are removing the decision-making from our communities. The results of this are decisions that are against local views and made with total disregard for local knowledge, creating a sense among our communities that their views are not valued and that this is, therefore, a disengagement from local democracy. The return of power and decision-making at the closest level to the community is essential.

I highlight the concern regarding the move to establish non-elected committees at local level, such as town teams or town centre first teams, and the lack of acknowledgement of elected representation in both strategy documents and on-the-ground committees, which is very concerning. In fact, it would appear that despite the vast majority of councillors being community activists who chose to run for public office because of a commitment and love for their areas, they are being viewed as non-community representatives. I wonder what message this is sending. If people are involved in their community, if they are volunteers, if they are people who give all of their time and then decide to run for public office, they will no longer be deemed capable of representing the views of their neighbours and wider town. While town teams have seen success, this generally relates to their ability to access funding that is not available to local authorities or councillors. As such, I wonder how reflective this is of success or of greater community representation.

Elected councillors should be centrally involved in these committees and we continue to support the work of our local public participation networks, PPNs, which were established to increase community voices. The removal of power and the diminishing of the role of councillors are now impacting the number of individuals looking to take positions. People run for public office because they want to effect real change, and if that is not an option and their efforts are seen as irrelevant, the role itself decreases in value.

Added to this is the increase in face-to-face and online abuse experienced by councillors, in particular female councillors. The role has become even more challenging. How do we create a more diverse and inclusive chamber when existing councillors are genuinely fearful at times? Wicklow County Council has seen the resignation of three councillors during this term of office; all have been women and all have been replaced by men.

Finally, I would like to bring to the attention of the committee the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, research, “The 21st Century Councillor in Irish Local Government”. I urge the committee to read it in detail and hear the views and experiences of councillors today.